Swedish Doctors for Human Rights

Swedish Doctors for Human Rights was founded in September 2014 by Marcello Ferrada de Noli, a Swedish professor emeritus and doctor of medicine from the Karolinska Institute.[https://www.dn.se/arkiv/familj/professorn-har-seglat-i-farliga-farvatten/ Professorn har seglat i farliga farvatten”], 23 July 2008, Dagens Nyheter“Fångläger till finsal”, 25 July 2013, Ystads Allehanda Ferrada de Noli and two other members of the foundation board, Professor Anders Romelsjö[https://www.dn.se/sok/?q=anders%20romelsj%C3%B6&page=1&sort=oldest&date= Anders Romelsjö], Dagens Nyheter and pediatrician doctor Leif Elinder[https://www.gp.se/?q=leif+elinder&page=1 Leif Elinder], Göteborgs-Posten were active in the mainstream media debate of Sweden since before the foundation of SWEDHR.

The majority of the organization’s members being medical doctors, but it also included professors and doctors from diverse medical-related disciplines.{{cite web|url=https://swedhr.org/swedish-professors-doctors-for-human-rights/founding-board-of-directors/ |title=Founding Board of Directors – Swedish Doctors for Human Rights|website=swedhr.org|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-01}} The organization published a magazine online called The Indicter,[http://theindicter.com/ The Indicter] which became independent from Swedhr in 2017.[https://theindicter.com/editorial-board/ The Indicter. Editorial Board]

The organization ended its activities in January 2020.[https://swedhr.org Swedhr homepage (retrieved 29 March 2020)] It explained that after Sweden dropped the legal case against Assange in 2019, and the international focus on the case moved from Sweden to the UK following the extradition requested by the US, Swedhr began to participate in activities of a new international group of doctors called Doctors For Assange, based in London. In December 2019, Doctors For Assange thanked Swedhr “for taking us to over 100 signatories”.Doctors for Assange on Twitter. 11 December 2019. [https://twitter.com/Doctors4Assange/status/1204543801097932807] As to February 2020, the new group reached “nearly 200 medical professionals”, according to The Washington Times.The Washington Times. 18 March 2020. 'Doctors for Assange' seek release of WikiLeaks founder over coronavirus concerns. [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/mar/18/julian-assange-wikileaks-founder-release-from-jail/] In September 2020, SWEDHR announced to reassume activities solely focused on issues derived of the implementation of international strategies in combating the Covid-19 pandemic.Statement of SWEDHR Board of Directors: "In view of the Covid-19 pandemic in Sweden, (Swedhr) decided in September 2020 to re-assume the SWEDHR activities, particularly on behalf of the humans rights of Swedish elderly. The activity of SWEDHR in this new period is solely devoted to issues around the pandemic, and includes analysis on the vaccine issue, and also the discussing and proposals of estrategies in the international combat against the pandemic."[https://swedhr.org/]

The organization’s main concern in 2015-2019 has been the Julian Assange case,[https://swedhr.org/swedhr-and-the-julian-assange-case/ SWEDHR and the Julian Assange case] which Swedish Dagens Nyheter has named first among SWEDHR issues.Dagens Nyheter, 2 April 2018. [https://www.dn.se/nyheter/sverige/svensk-grupp-i-rysk-propaganda-om-giftattacken-pa-spion Svensk grupp i rysk propaganda om giftattacken på spion] It participated in appeals to the Swedish authorities and other governments Aftonbladet, 26 February 2020. [https://www.aftonbladet.se/debatt/a/XgLBvm/regeringen-krav-att-julian-assange-friges "Regeringen, kräv att Julian Assange friges"]Democracy in Europe Movement 2025 (DIEM 25), 3 June 2016 [https://diem25.org/urging-sweden-and-the-uk-to-free-julian-assange/]World Socialist Web Site, 17 Dec 2019, [https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/12/17/open-d17.html Doctors issue open letter to the Australian government: Julian Assange at risk of death in prison] and to international organizations,Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). “Joint Submission for the United Kingdom's Universal Periodic Review in 2017”, Doc. A/HRC/7/4/Add.1 at 40 (2007). Republished by Courage Foundation: [https://usavwl.couragefound.org/docs/js9_upr27_gbr_e_mainpdf_free_press_legal_legal_docs] addressing human rights and health issues.The Lancet, 12 February 2020. “End torture and medical neglect of Julian Assange”, [https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30383-4/fulltext] [https://www.thelancet.com/cms/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30383-4/attachment/26b319bf-bc10-4e45-8fae-b8ff581a6668/mmc1.pdf] In 2015, it argued that the prolonged use by Sweden of the European Arrest Warrant on Assange issued in 2010, without a decision of taking the case to court in a reasonable time, would infringe the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,NewsVoice, 5 April 2016: [https://newsvoice.se/2015/04/according-to-the-un-international-covenant-on-civil-political-rights-assanges-detention-should-be-ended/ "According to the UN International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights, Assange’s detention should be ended"] matter later established by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD), 4 December 2015. [https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=17012&LangID=E The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention Deems the deprivation of liberty of Mr. Julian Assange as arbitrary]

In 2016 it advocated for asylum to Edward Snowden in the EU.Västerbottens-Kuriren, 14 October 2015. [https://www.vk.se/2015-10-14/se-over-kriterierna-for-asyl Se över kriterierna för asyl]

It also reported on human rights situations in Chile,Truthout, 13 Nov 2019: [https://truthout.org/articles/chileans-face-state-repression-as-they-continue-revolt-against-neoliberalism/ Chileans Face State Repression as They Continue Revolt Against Neoliberalism]: “The organization Swedish Doctors for Human Rights has compiled 80 videos of serious human rights abuses by Chilean security forces since the protests started in October (2019)” issues of torture accountability,NewsVoice, 25 April 2015. [https://newsvoice.se/2015/04/an-updated-estimation-of-civil-casualties-killed-by-drone-strikes-an-injury-epidemiology-human-rights-report/ “An updated estimation of civil casualties killed by drone strikes – An injury-epidemiology & human rights report”.] and investigated civilian casualties of drone attacks in Afghanistan and Yemen.NewsVoice, 25 May 2015. [https://newsvoice.se/2015/05/torture-and-lack-of-accountability-but-american-public-not-responsible-for-drone-assassinations/ Torture and Lack of Accountability but American Public not Responsible for Drone Assassinations] In March 2017, SWEDHR published results of an investigation of two videos the organization Syrian Civil Defense uploaded 2015, showing medical rescue interventions during the Sarmin chemical attack. SWEDHR deemed the procedures as “anti-medical and not-saving”,Dagbladet Arbejderen, 26 April 2017. [https://arbejderen.dk/udland/de-hvide-hjelmes-propaganda-er-farlig De Hvide Hjelmes propaganda er farlig] and presented the findings at a conference of the Club Suisse de la Presse.Club Suisse de la Presse (Geneva Press Club), 28 November 2017. [http://pressclub.ch/they-dont-care-about-us-white-helmets-true-agenda/?lang=en “They don’t care about us”. White Helmets true agenda]Tribune de Genève, 28 November 2017. (“Dissident voices at the Geneva Press Club”) “Des voix dissidentes s'expriment au Club suisse de la presse”. [https://m.tdg.ch/articles/16296427]

The Syrian ambassador to the UN made use of the SWEDHR allegations at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in April 2017.United Nations UNSC [https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65BFCF9B-6D27-4E9C-8CD3-CF6E4FF96FF9%7D/s_pv_7922.pdf 7922nd meeting, Wednesday, 12 April 2017] Later that year, SWEDHR questioned the OPCW-UN Joint Investigative Mechanism report on the Khan Shaykhun chemical attack, claiming that the report “proven inaccurate, politically biased”. The SWEDHR assessment was annexed as official document of the UNSC after proposal by the Permanent Representative of Russia to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzya.United Nations Security Council, 15 February 2018. [https://www.un.org/en/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=S/2017/1010 Document A/72/652–S/2017/1010] In 2019, SWEDHR endorsed a complain to the permanent representatives of States parties at the OPCW, on alleged misreporting in the OPCW investigation of the gas attack in Douma, Syria, 2018.8 November 2019. [https://theindicter.com/open-letter-to-permanent-representatives-of-states-parties-at-opcw-supporting-appeal-by-courage-foundation-panel-ref-transparency-in-douma-investigations/ "Open Letter to Permanent Representatives of States Parties at OPCW."]

During 2015-2018, SWEDHR advocated against alleged human rights abuses on Swedish cardiologist Fikru Maru, held in custody in Ethiopia until 2018.Dagens Medicine, 13 March 2014 (Open doctors' support to Fikru Maru). [https://www.dagensmedicin.se/artiklar/2015/03/13/oppet-lakarstod-till-fikru-maru/] It also denounced aerial attacks against hospitals run by Médecins Sans Frontières in Afghanistan.Dagens Medicine, 6 October 2015 [https://www.dagensmedicin.se/artiklar/2015/10/06/en-skarp-protest-mot-detta-oforlatliga--dodande-av-patienter-och-sjukvardspersonal/ ”En skarp protest mot detta oförlåtliga dödande”] The organization has criticized Sweden’s arms sales to the Saudi-led coalition in the Yemeni Civil War.The Local (Sweden), 26 February 2018. [https://www.thelocal.se/20180226/swedish-arms-exports-topped-11-billion-kronor-last-year Swedish arms exports topped 11 billion kronor last year] In 2019, it opposed the Swedish government’s decision of not signing the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, and endorsed “Letter in Defence of World Peace”, protesting US notices of abandoning the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty INFT.Kaosenlared, 17 Feb 2019. [https://kaosenlared.net/carta-en-defensa-de-la-paz-mundial/ Carta en Defensa de la Paz Mundial] In 2015, SWEDHR commented on opinions made by the Swedish Minister of Defense Peter Hultqvist. The minister had stated that “bilateral cooperation with the US is important and it should deepen”,Dagens Nyheter, 31 August 2015. [https://www.dn.se/debatt/sveriges-militara-samarbete-med-usa-maste-fordjupas/ DN Debatt. ”Sveriges militära samarbete med USA måste fördjupas”] SWEDHR argued “(Minister Hultqvist) had not shown that a deepening of the Sweden-USA cooperation would be better than to instead deepening our neutrality stance.” Dagens Nyheter, 3 September 2015. [https://www.dn.se/debatt/repliker/sverige-riskerar-bli-forstahandsmal/ DN Debatt. ”Sverige riskerar bli förstahandsmål”]

Swedhr positions regarding the Covid-19 pandemic have in the main included criticism of what the oprganization has viewed as a discriminatory health-treatment of the elderly population in Sweden, opposing to strategies they say were striving to rapid "herd immunity",[https://consortiumnews.com/2020/10/16/covid-19-the-case-against-herd-immunity/ COVID-19: The Case Against Herd Immunity] and advocating for stricter restrictions, and favoring widespread vaccination.{{cite web | url=https://www.latercera.com/mundo/noticia/marcello-ferrada-de-noli-profesor-de-epidemiologia-la-estrategia-sueca-ha-resultado-en-un-fracaso-concluyente/4XXAPB4GBJCKXN2J7JKQSR53OY/ | title=Marcello Ferrada de Noli, profesor de epidemiología: "La estrategia sueca ha resultado en un fracaso concluyente" | date=9 July 2020 }}

In 2017-2018, several European mainstream media (MSM) pointed out the frequency Swedhr was interviewed in Russian media, and also criticised the use that Russian authorities and media made of SWEDHR investigations and statements.Der Spiegel, 21 December 2017. [http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/syrien-russlands-feldzug-gegen-die-wahrheit-a-1184533.html Russlands perfider Feldzug gegen die Wahrheit]Le Figaro. Paris, 13 April 2017. [http://www.lefigaro.fr/international/2017/04/13/01003-20170413ARTFIG00273-en-russie-une-curieuse-these-reprise-pour-exonerer-damas.php En Russie, une curieuse thèse reprise pour exonérer Damas] (“In Russia, a curious thesis arises to exculpate Damascus”)Dagens Nyheter, 21 April 2017. [https://www.dn.se/nyheter/sverige/gasattacker-fornekas-med-hjalp-fran-svensk-lakargrupp/ Gasattacker förnekas med hjälp från svensk läkargrupp]Libération, 3 May 2018. [https://www.liberation.fr/planete/2018/05/03/russia-today-sputnik-un-mois-d-intox-passe-au-crible_1647632 Russia Today, Sputnik… un mois d’intox passé au crible] SWEDHR published its respective rebuttals in The Indicter,The Indicter, 15 April 2017. "[https://theindicter.com/mainstream-journalists-angered-by-swedhr-denounce-of-unethical-war-propaganda-reply-to-le-figaro/ Mainstream journalists angered by SWEDHR denounce of unethical war propaganda. Reply to Le Figaro]"The Indicter, 22 December 2017. "[https://theindicter.com/swedish-professors-and-doctors-for-human-rights-swedhr-on-slandering-in-der-spiegel/ Swedish Professors and Doctors for Human Rights (SWEDHR) respond to Der Spiegel]"The Indicter, 22 April 2017. "[https://theindicter.com/reply-to-dagens-nyheter-assault-on-swedish-doctors-for-human-rights/ Reply to Dagens Nyheter assault on Swedish Doctors for Human Rights]"The Indicter, 7 February 2020. "[https://theindicter.com/interference-by-journalists-on-sovereign-opinions-of-professors-academics-and-independent-researchers-comprise-infringements-to-art-19-of-the-universal-declaration-of-human-rights/ Interference by journalists on sovereign opinions of professors, academics, and independent researchers, comprise infringements to Art 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights]" arguing the MSM criticism did not address the arguments or results of their investigations, but focused in the issue of the several interviews in Russian media in the period. In a statement in the journal of the Swedish Medical Association, Swedhr declared the organization is “absolutely independent” and “we retain the right to freely express opinions on war crimes, violations of human rights and governmental intervention in private life and civil liberties”.Läkartidningen, 9 June 2017. [http://lakartidningen.se/Opinion/Debatt/2017/06/Vi-forbehaller-oss-ratten-att-uttala-oss/ SWEDHR är en oberoende organisation] In an interview by Swedish newspaper DN 2 April 2018, the Swedhr chairman replied "I stand for what I've said to those channels. These are the same things I would have said to Dagens Nyheter or Svenska Dagbladet".

In April 2017, the results of the Swedhr investigation on the 2015 White Helmets rescuing videos in SarminSWEDHR, 6 and 17 March 2017. "[https://swedhr.org/swedhr-analysis-of-the-white-helmets-video-of-sarmin-2015/ SWEDHR analysis of the White Helmets video of Sarmin 2015]" were broadly reported. Some accounts said Swedhr had accused White Helmets of “killing children for fake videos”, which was immediately denied by the organization.The Indicter, 8 April 2017. [https://theindicter.com/statement-by-swedish-doctors-for-human-rights-on-misrepresentations-referred-in-veterans-today-article-on-white-helmets/ Statement by Swedish Professors & Doctors for Human Rights on misrepresentations referred in Veterans Today article on White Helmets] Arab News reported 17 April 2017: “The news was based on reports falsely attributed to Swedish doctors. The irony is that this fake news that has continued to spread, even after the Swedish organization attributed and linked to the report refuted it. In a published statement confirming that it analyzed some videos published the White Helmets, SWEDHR did not accuse them of killing children.”Arab News, 18 April 2017. [https://www.arabnews.com/node/1086131/media Propaganda, lies and videos: Russian media and the Khan Sheikhun massacre]

The online publication Coda Story contested the Swedhr investigation on the White Helmets video, and said that a group of doctors “agreed that the individuals in the (White Helmets) video did not appear to be carrying out a resuscitation attempt according to accepted guidelines. All of them however, said it would be impossible to conclude from the brief video that the scene was staged.”Coda Story, 2 May 2017 "[https://codastory.com/disinformation/armed-conflict/a-swedish-alternative-ngo-disputes-a-video-of-syrian-carnage-and-a-russian-fake-news-meme-is-born/ Russia Used a Two-Year-Old Video and an 'Alternative' Swedish Group to Discredit Reports of Syria Gas Attack]" In its rebuttal, Swedhr pointed out that only one of the doctors in the group of five referred in the Coda Story article was identified. It also challenged Coda Story to organize an open international panel of medical experts to assess the Swedhr conclusions.

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Category:International human rights organizations

Category:Human rights organizations based in Sweden

Category:Julian Assange